Afghan refugees in Pakhtunkhwa celebrate Eid

ISLAMABAD (PAN): Afghan refugees as well as residents of Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday celebrated the first day of Eidul Fitr, which marks the end of Ramazan.

Despite living in Pakistan for more than two decades, the Afghan refugees have been celebrating Eid with the people of Saudi Arabia.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa residents were divided over the celebration as some people will observe the day on Wednesday. The central government announced that the moon sighting committee, a body of religious scholars of different school of thoughts, will meet today in Karachi after Maghreb prayers to sight the moon for Shawal.

The committee will announce the outcome of moon-sighting based on evidences and information received from various areas.

But the unofficial moon sighting committee of the historic Masjid Qasim Ali Khan in Peshawar met last night and announced that the first day of the Eid will be Tuesday.

The Afghan refugees in Peshawar and some tribesmen offered Eid prayer in parts of the city and its adjacent areas on Tuesday.

The big congregations of Eid prayer were held at refugees camps on the outskirts of the city, besides in some parts of tribal areas like Mohmand Agency.

Special prayers were offered for the stability and peace in Afghanistan.